5 Tips for Successful Thrifting

Every since I was a little girl, I’ve enjoyed balling on a budget. Meaning, I highly enjoy going to consignment stores, flea markets, and thrift stores. My mother always taught me the importance of saving my money making sure I know how to differentiate my wants and needs. As I adjust to young adulthood, I’ve become timid to check my bank account statements because I spend so much money on food (can I get an Amen?!, I know someone understands my struggle). I do tend to overspend but I am getting much better at SAVING my money. I’ve learned that if I want to acquire wealth and stability, I must start taking my savings account seriously. I do love to shop till I drop, so recently I’ve found myself spending time in thrift stores. I know that not everyone is a fan of thrifting used and old clothing, but I love me some good ole mom jeans and grandpa sweaters. For me, the best thing about thrifting is that I am SAVING my money by not overspending and I have found quite a few designer items that I know will last me a lifetime. Here are some tips for making your next thrift stop a success.

GO WHEN YOU HAVE FREE TIME- I truly dislike being rushed when I am shopping and shopping doesn’t work out too well for me when I am on a time constraint. Thrifting is all about finding great vintage/old school pieces that make a statement and you can’t always find what you are looking for when you are in a hurry.

LOOK IN THE CUT– When you want to find something that no one else has, you have to be willing to look in every cut, crevice, and crease. Some of the best items are the ones that can’t be seen when you first enter the store.

DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE TAILOR- Sometimes when I go thrifting I find gorgeous items that are sometimes too big for me. Instead of leaving the garment at the store, I make sure that it is something I can fit in if I get it altered. ( The mom jeans I am wearing in the photos were originally too big for me, so I got them taken it at the dry cleaners and it cost me roughly $10)

THRIFT BEYOND CLOTHING- Somedays when I am thrifting I enjoy straying away from the clothing area. You’d be surprised the type of furniture, kitchen ware, office supplies, and luggage you can find (make sure you to clean the items after purchasing). Since of a majority of the items in thrift stores are from decades ago, you can find utilities that can brighten up your home and office.

STAY ON BUDGET– Just because something might be $7 and another item might be $12, it definitely starts to add up once you get to the cash register. JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING IS CHEAP DOESN’T MEAN YOU NEED IT. Make sure that you stay on task and stay within your means.

Remember, thrifting is a fun activity to do when you have some extra cash or when you know you can get an item for a lesser price instead of going to a high end retail store. Always have fun with your wardrobe and like I say STEP OUT OF CLOSET COMFORT ZONE! Don’t be afraid to try new things with your wardrobe and the best place to start is at the thrift store!

1 Comment

Janette

July 8, 2016 / 10:45 pm

I too love to go “Thrifting”. Remember when buying larger sizes to not go to big, maybe just a size or two. Larger sizes have bigger armholes and longer crotch length. These areas are almost impossible to take in.